~Chapter Seventeen~

~Trudging Through~

Whatever the twins were expecting when I approached them at the beginning of the school week during hosting hours what I had to say wasn't it.

I needed people in high places, what better place then to start with people in the high class and what would be even better working with the fashion designer Hitachiin Yuzuha and the computer software designer Hitachiin Atsuo.

Of course, I had to go through the rest of the day first and I didn't feel breeching the subject during the busy lunch hour to be wise. They were so easily distracted after all.

The day started out pretty hectic anyway and I didn't even have much time to talk to Hikaru and Koaru when I did. With the afternoon classes cancelled I didn't see Tamaki until the Host Club hours and let me tell you dear reader, today was quite the experience.

Let me first explain that it should be obvious Ouran High School would have it's own way of doings things, rich people did what rich people do everywhere, but they varied in tastes and drama levels. With Ouran today being invaded by foreign uniforms of different schools it didn't surprise me to not be the first to arrive the moment the Host Club opened.

What did surprise me were the pair of girls in magenta skirts standing in front of me, talk about taking up a doorway! Not to mention the scene that greeted me, the girls' backs were to me and from their mouths I could hear one of them insulting the Host Club male members.

Whoa, scary feminists, I thought, indeed "perpetuating their testosterone", do they not see how much PINK is in this school?

"Don't you think that's a little harsh? But please feel welcomed here, we have more guests arriving!" Tamaki was trying to be polite and charming (as it is his nature), but I couldn't help but feel a little small when his eyes were so obviously on me and the two girls turned to see what he was looking at.

"So girls do attend these frivolous functions? Tell me," one of them approached me, I tried my best to look cool and confident and unperturbed. It was annoying since the anger boiling beneath my breastbone protested and wanted to tell the two girls off for insulting the Host Club like that.

The Host Club is not made up of just any kind of men, I thought coldly, but proudly kept the feelings of turmoil hidden and braced myself for the girl's questions.

"What exactly do you see in coming to this Host Club? Do you fancy swooning at their attractive facades?" she asked, I blinked calmly and looked friendly enough I hoped.

"I come here for studying, I swoon between tutoring sessions, not during them," I claimed, perfectly friendly, but I would be lying if I said there wasn't a hint of a smirk on my lips. I do enjoy the times I manage a satisfying remark when one is called for. The girls remained friendly as well, but their stances were just as confronting as they were when facing the 'all-male' club behind them.

"Tutoring? Dear, they are not capable of rising to our unlimited mental capacities!" whined one of them, I adjusted the Physics book in my arms.

Maybe I should come back later.

"What would you ladies like to hear if you do not approve of what you already heard then?" questioned Tamaki, I would like to say I was out of dangerous waters then, but one second I was standing in the door, the next I was whisked off my feet, my book held tightly in my arms and I was spun into a tight circle into someone.

A female someone else. I had much preferred this little fantasy with a male someone, but I wasn't alone. In one arm was me and in the other, was Haruhi, oblivious and indifferent to the turn of events. I looked up, the person holding me was significantly taller than both Haruhi and I. Handsome with a short haircut was another girl in the same uniform as the other two, rambling on about what could be considered romantic, had it been coming from my personally preferred sex.

"My, what strong hands and a nice complexion, what does Ouran do? Work it's female populace and put the boys in costumes? I fathom you are White Lily material my dandelion!" I tried not to look disturbed when my hands were taken and touched by the taller girl's own pair, her eyes scanning them. Suddenly thinking of the polisher, rags, and ladders I felt slightly ashamed with her scrutinizing my hands. The boyish female student paid no heed and the attention was instantly drawn to Haruhi.

Embarrassingly, they caught on to Haruhi's true sex right away, something most of us had only felt subconsciously and they rambled on about her "incredibly soft skin."

"Funny, you remind me of some people I know," I muttered to myself, referring to their tendency of entering personal space and being obnoxiously outspoken.

Feeling a little 'tossed away' as the three newcomers had turned their full and undivided attention to Haruhi, I walked some feet away where Hunny greeted me.

"Good afternoon Bunny Boy," a loud crack sounded, Hunny and I turned around to find Tamaki on the floor.

"She punched me!"

"Leave her alone!" exclaimed the taller girl, deciding I had enough fights to fight I looked to make sure Tamaki was actually fine (Hunny did tell him to pull himself together) before placing my book on the faraway coffee table.

Medieval knight dress-up today huh? I noted, the outfit most definitely seemed to fit into Mori's profile, though l would have to agree with myself that the others could have been better described in different medieval occupations. Tamaki would be the vain king, Hunny could profile to be the unexpected hero, the twins the jokers, and for Kyouya, well, the dark advisor that secretly plotted overthrowing Tamaki.

I went to look at Kyouya again over my shoulder, he had been reading if the book in his hand was any indication. My eyes roamed the metal wear (I wouldn't be surprised if they were the genuine articles from Europe) and I managed to get a long look at Kyouya's profile.

I tried to discern what little emotion I could read on his face – he appeared bored, but his brows were furrowed very slightly. Then in addition to being bored he must not have liked the way the girls were mocking them maybe? Or maybe I was reading too much into his behavior, he might be far away from the events happening right now. He probably already figured how this would end and was calculating the rest of the hosting hours.

I looked away when Kyouya felt my stare and turned to look at me, I busied my hands and eyes with my book.

"Lobelia!" Look at that, I thought sardonically as I skimmed through some pages, feeling my mood dropping a few degrees for some reason, there is music in the Third Music Room.

"We are the Zuka Club!" There went the twins, their laughter switch turned all the way up and my imagination put them in rag hats with bells strung on the ends.

"Should I come back later?" I asked Kyouya, daring to look at him to find his gaze must not have moved since a couple of minutes ago. I felt my chest do a number of things I wasn't used to when our eyes met, like fluttering and tightening at the same time. My best efforts of ignoring those feelings were put on my face with a small smile.

"Perhaps, but let us hope this will not take much longer, I have been thinking you are now ready to delve deeper into more complicated equations," he claimed.

More complicated?

I suppose I jumped into that one, I thought, refraining from thinking of the night I was walking back to the conference building with Akito.

"All right then, I'll wait this out." I claimed, still slightly affronted, but Tamaki was handling the "cultural shock" worse. Taking a nap in the middle of this kind of situation I would hardly deem appropriate.

"Do you think you will need some ice Tamaki?" I asked as the twins insulted the Zuka Club, Tamaki gave me big puppy eyes.

"No thank you dear maiden, but they scare me." Tamaki claimed, I chuckled nervously.

"Yes, yes, Tamaki, if I said they scared me too would you be a knight and make them leave your castle?" Wow, their role-play is finally starting to suck me in! I tried not to think of what the others must think of this, but my words did have effect, he did seem to perk up.

"Hello Renge," I greeted a moment later when the platform rose, she gave me a wave and when she went to spit out the instant coffee I had a small trash bin ready, the Zuka Club seemed astounded by this.

"You young maiden are a healer at heart, to sense oncoming ailments is a gift not many possess even of the fair sex!" I sweat-dropped at the newcomer's words, how was I supposed to feel a pride of any sort with someone's secondhand instant coffee in a trash bin I was currently relocating.

"You sure have a vast wealth of knowledge Renge," complimented Kyouya a moment later after Renge went on a spiel about the Lobelia school, sending a wave of jealousy through me like electricity. Unfortunately, the tall girl, Benibara was it, noticed. She eyed me curiously, her stare almost predatory, though loving in a way I suppose.

Several minutes later the Zuka Club announced they would return tomorrow with hopes Haruhi (yeah, I was no longer on their mind) would decide to transfer to their school. Haruhi wasn't a happy camper what with the announcement (by Kyouya) her belongings are taken and sold via auction for the Host Club.

I sat and waited for Kyouya to finish welcoming guests with the others, while I was waiting I recalled why I needed to speak with the twins. I would have to ask for some time with them today if that be the case.

"The twins are not open for further hosting hours, their time slots are filled." Kyouya said after I asked him, I inwardly groaned. But a crooked grin on Kyouya's face told me he was just teasing me.

"Feel free to ask them after we close the club however," I narrowed my eyes on him.

"You're so cruel," he chuckled.

"Weren't you the one to assume you could only talk to us during hosting hours, you insult us." He was teasing me again and I felt heat flood my face, it was becoming harder to look at him with him looking back. I settled on busying my hands with the book…again.

"I'm afraid to ask, but what exactly am I 'delving' into today?" his crooked grin took on a mischievous curl, but with the determination to better myself I didn't feel as intimidated before. It must have showed on my face (I'm an easy read today apparently) since Kyouya decided to comment on it.

"Feeling up to the task I see." I nodded.

"Let's get started,"

After the session I waited until the twins walked their last guest to the door before pouncing on them.

Time for some payback, "Hey! I have a favor to ask," they jumped when I came up between them and wrapped my arms around their necks from behind. It gave me much satisfaction to have them peer at me with surprise.

"Y-Yu-chan!" one of them yelped.

"What favor?" asked the other, the faster one to recover.

"Since your website is almost done I thought I would ask for an audience with your mother? When can that be arranged?" I asked, they stood shocked. I can't blame them, I've never really shown my demanding side and if this is all it takes to render the twins silent for a few seconds I might let it shine more often.

"Um, sure, I don't see why not." Said one, the one who had recovered faster – it must have been Koaru. Haruhi gave me a summary of their minute differing characteristics before, but they were now becoming more apparent to me. The idea of it was exciting!

"Buuuuut-" I narrowed my eyes on Hikaru, some scheme was in the making behind his eyes, he smirked at me.

"We have to see what the website is thus far." He bargained, I huffed.

"Done, I can bring it tomorrow." I replied, I stepped away from them and they turned around to face me.

"Tomorrow might not be a good idea, Tono has some crazy idea to try and get Haruhi to stay at Ouran." Claimed Koaru.

"Really? I don't exactly think she's going to leave," I thought out loud, but the twins apparently thought along the same lines, but I could definitely see a twinge of doubt in their identical orbs. It struck me if there was any possibility of Haruhi wanting to transfer they wanted to be able to staunch it. Tamaki had called for an emergency meeting the second Haruhi left for after hosting hours even though Haruhi had left beforehand.

"All right, day after tomorrow then." I said, they nodded.

"We'll be critical, hope it's what we want!" they laughed as I waved them off.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" Kyouya was still at the table when I returned to pick up my book, he was scribbling something on his clipboard as he usually does, but when their was a pause in the scratching I looked up to find he was looking at nothing in particular straight ahead of him.

"Maybe you should think a little easier on whatever it is you're thinking about Kyouya," his attention snapped to me when I spoke, he chuckled lightly.

"I suppose I should, it isn't complicated, but time consuming, I'm wondering if I should invest time in it at all," his cryptic words I left to rest, but I thought if I pried a little I could get a more direct response out of him.

"It must have merit if you're considering the possibility," I said without really thinking, Kyouya's eyes met mine, something flickered in them and I couldn't put my finger on exactly what that flicker might mean.

"Coincidental word choice," was all he said, one of my eye brows rose toward my hairline.

"I'm not following…" I trailed off, wishing he would be less vague. Coincidental word choice what?

"Haruhi said something similar," that flicker was there again, this time I knew it was because he connected what I said to what Haruhi had spoken. I had said something familiar. An Ootori smirk appeared on his lips, a look I honestly found increasingly more attractive every time I saw it.

"Perhaps you should bring it up with Haruhi sometime, it could stir an interesting conversation if you can get her into it." Claimed Kyouya, I mentally huffed.

"Interesting how?" Darnit, I'm curious now. I gave him a soft glare, but his smirk didn't waver in the slightest.

"Don't you want to know what transpired after you got off the phone with Tamaki?" Kyouya asked, my eye twitched.

"You must have every technological device on the planet bugged, really Kyouya – how do you know everything you do?" It was really a rhetorical question, but knowing Kyouya…

"Do you really want to know?" he asked smoothly, one leg over the other's knee with his arms folded over his chest. It took all my will power to smother every iota of estrogen in me not to stand there and gawk like the club's clients (oh wait, I was one of them wasn't I?) These guys could make for a good otome game with lovely CG pictures.

"Impress me," I challenged back, if it were possible Kyouya's smirk seemed to widen, but before we could press on Tamaki cut in.

"I have it!" declared Tamaki, more so to me than Kyouya.

"You have what?" I asked as politely as I could, refusing to show I was disappointed that the conversation between Kyouya and I had been short-lived. I felt there was going to be some fun in that, more fun than the usual conversation with him anyway. The feeling of disappointment, fortunately, didn't last long either.

"The greatest plan to keep Haruhi here at Ouran! I thought we would first move her here and blame gypsies for her kidnapping-" Tamaki announced, both my eye brows rose at him, as he continued I shot the rest of the host club members an odd look. They looked as they always did when attempting to absorb one of Tamaki's latest (most exaggerated) ideas.

"-the Host Club members will not only be her friends and brothers! But sisters as well!" Finished Tamaki and just for the effect, confetti burst around the blonde.

"Um, sisters?" I blinked owlishly at Tamaki, the rest of the club didn't seem put off by this.

"Yes, sisters. We're related through an aunt twice removed from the Hikaru and Koaru's side that went on a risqué endeavor in the Phillippines-" Have you ever tried to wound spaghetti noodles on a fork then when you lift it to bring it to your mouth the noodles fall off splayed on the plate? That was my mind right now. The moment I managed to make some sense of Tamaki's imagination, he says something else and there's just no getting back on the fork, er, train of thought.

"There's no need for elaboration of that kind Tamaki," Kyouya interrupted to my relief.

"There's not? How else do we make it believable?" asked Tamaki, I giggled.

"Do you intend on…looking the part?" I asked cautiously, Tamaki's face brightened.

"Of course! I already made the orders!" Tamaki said, the twins frowned.

"What orders?" they asked.

"For the dresses! We can't be sisters without dresses!" retorted Tamaki.

"Hold on, you mean the club will be gender bending?" I nearly bit my lip to keep the laughter from escaping from my throat where it bubbled.

"Gender bending?" Tamaki asked.

"A fan made phrase referring to a boy dressing as girl and vice versa," claimed Renge from beside Mori.

"Oh, then yes! The club will be gender bending – tomorrow!" Tamaki announced.

"No way Tono!" growled one of the twins.

"Surely you have dresses already here? Why not use them?" I smiled innocently at the twins after directing the question at Tamaki, they narrowed their eyes at me.

"Those are not dresses! They're the original dress robes from the Harry Potter movies!" shot back Hikaru.

"'Dress' is in the word 'dress robes'," I retorted, grinning from ear to ear.

"The seamstress and the dresses will be here within the hour! We cannot waste time! We must prepare the room as well!" Cried Tamaki, "and we must delay the clients by fifteen minutes exactly and no later! We must also provide entertainment for them for those fifteen minutes-"

"I think this is where I should make a hasty retreat," I thought out loud.

"I need to get to work, I look forward to you girls tomorrow," I shot a look at the twins when I emphasized the word ' girls' and they glared at me.

"We don't have to tell our mom about you!" exclaimed Hikaru, I smiled and waved good bye.

Custodial duty went faster than planned, but I still didn't beat what remained of the students staying after school for club activities. I was wandering through the halls toward the front door when my path crossed with a familiar looking man. Tall, handsome even in his older age, and of slender build. He felt familiar…

He noticed me as well and it soon occurred to me he was walking through the halls as alone as I had been.

"Good evening sir," I greeted, not wanting to seem rude.

"Good evening to you too Honiwa-san," it hit me like a heap of rocks, it had been so long since I had seen the superintendent I nearly forgot what Suoh-san looked like. He had come to visit during school hours once, but I hadn't been paying any particular attention at the time. I felt so embarrassed and he didn't ever really like me to begin with.

This was different though.

Less than two years ago I stood before him in his office, he had a number of colleagues with him as well, he was fairly nonchalant about my situation at the time and that was truly my only time I've had personally with the man.

He seemed much more friendly now, warm like his son.

"Wow, you remember my name?" the question was out before it barely registered in my mind and I instantly wished I could call them back. Suoh-san chuckled.

"I try to remember any name that I can," he replied. I nodded and suddenly he didn't seem too keen in conversing further, he almost seemed uncomfortable and wouldn't look me in the eye.

"So how are you doing?" he asked after a brief pause.

"I'm getting by, how are you?" Returning the courtesy sounded weird, but what else was there for me to say?

"The usual," he replied, but I didn't know what 'the usual' meant from Suoh-san, so I just accepted it without question.

"…" I was at a loss for once, the man avoided all eye contact and now seemed horribly uncomfortable and I couldn't help but feel this had something to do with me. I should leave, politely excuse myself, bid good evening, and leave. But I wouldn't, or couldn't rather.

"Is…is something bothering you sir?" I asked, he chuckled humorlessly.

"You could say that," the he asked "if you're heading out, allow me to escort you to the door."

Tamaki takes after him attention span-wise, I thought, then added, and manners. I had no doubt in my mind if I hadn't a job in the school Tamaki would escort me to the front as well – or offer a ride home. It was just his nature, heck, he would offer a ride to a mugger. I could imagine it now…

"Once you are done stealing from me would you like a ride home? Oh, you would like the keys to the vehicle! That can be arranged! You commoners sure have an adventurous outlook on life!" the imaginary Tamaki said to the silhouette of the mugger in my mind, I stifled the chuckles that threatened to spill from my lips.

Kyouya would definitely handle that differently, I mused, but now an imaginary Kyouya summoned a horde of ninjas to take down the poor mugger. Realizing I was spacing out, I nodded to Suoh-san.

"All right," once I was close enough to him he walked by my side through the eerily silent pink halls.

"Have you heard from your parents recently?" this seemed to be the question he had been meaning to ask since he saw me, I'm not sure why, but he seemed to stiffen as if to brace himself for an answer. I was too confused to ponder over his greater discomfort.

"Not since we returned from Kyoto," I replied, we were more in contact through text messaging now more than before. For some reason my mother had grown even busier than before and Dad claims she had more on her plate than she can deal with. I figured her business was just booming, but Suoh-san seemed relatively concerned with something about my parents and unless my mom suddenly raised prices I couldn't imagine what would be bothering the man so badly that had to do with them? Plus money problems were below Ouran.

"You don't talk to them?" he asked, rather shocked.

"We text message more than anything now, was I supposed to pass on a message or something?" I asked, Suoh-san visibly relaxed and gave me a kind smile.

"Just making sure you still talk them, parents miss their children when they don't see them often." Suoh-san said, looking wistful and I could tell this wasn't what he was expecting, but decided not to press it, I'll think about it pressing the topic after I graduate.

We parted that way at the door, but I hadn't gotten far.

"Wait – don't tell me you walk home?" Suoh-san, with scary similarity to Tamaki, stressed over the mode of transport I took home.

"Well, I also take a train." I replied, this, however, was too much for him to bare.

"No, no, no, I cannot possibly allow that, but it would be inappropriate for me to…all right, no other choice." I frowned at him, privately hoping something strange wouldn't come about like a hot air balloon or something.

"Please, take my ride." He raised his arm and motioned with it toward an approaching limo.

"I can't do that! What about you?" I asked worriedly, he shook his head.

"I'll have another come," he replied.

"But-" He wouldn't hear of it, moments later I was in the back of the limo meant to transport Tamaki's father. I felt guilty, but what had recently transpired concerned me. Was it crazy for me to think Suoh-san was acting a tad strangely? Granted I didn't know him well enough to assume that…then again what would he be worried about that had to do with my parents? He revealed himself as indifferent when I first met him, but thinking back on it maybe it was just his business face he put on for his colleagues. I had no right to judge him then or figure out what he is like, he's Tamaki's dad and it's not like I would be needing to know his family well or anything.

But what if my parents and he had personal history? My eyes narrowed, I hunkered down in the seat. Although I had more space than I would have had on the train, the long car made me feel small and vulnerable. I drew my knees to my chest, I brought out my phone from my school bag and put it in front of my face on my legs.

I stared at the screen with intense concentration.

My phone vibrated from an incoming text message from Koaru.

"U wont blieve what tono is putting us n but hikaru n I think itll b fun! U will laugh" I was honestly surprised, I rarely got messages from the twins, mostly I received them from Hunny and Tamaki and the occasional ellipsis from Mori. Even more surprisingly the twins thought I would find it (whatever it is) funny, that's perceptive of them.

I peered up in thought, my mind returning to the theory I conjured of my parents and Suoh-san.

There's no way it could be true, I thought, but my voice of reason added snidely, think about it, surely if your mother dated Kyouya's dad and Tamaki's dad (might) have been around the same age. There very likely COULD be a history between them..or ALL of them.

I snarled at the voice to back off even if it did have a point, if there had been a history then why think of it around me? Suoh-san seemed too uncomfortable for me to just write the scenario off, but if I didn't intend to pursue answers then I reasoned I needed to drop it – it didn't have anything to do with me, I had to convince myself of that somehow.

Part of me didn't listen to my own reasonable advice.

Maybe Suoh-san had been friends with my mother or father and had a falling out, they disagreed on something and he felt guilty about it even after all these years and couldn't face their kin? Maybe it had something to do with the Ootoris? If Suoh-san had been friends with my mother and got mad at Ootori-san for hurting her and there was a huge disagreement or-

My eyes widened with a realization.

No, nooooo, there could not have been a love triangle! I frowned and shook my head.

No, I will NOT make these crazy assumptions! Suoh-san, Ootori-san, and my mom probably didn't even go to the same school and everyone knows those two families don't get along! I thought angrily at myself.

Sure it makes sense…what if Mom's love went out to both of them and they competed for her affections. Maybe a fallout with the Ootori meant a fallout with the Suoh as well hm? The other voice chirped happily with vigorous delight.

No, I thought stubbornly, there's probably nothing at all. Suoh-san is probably just troubled by something and I just happened to catch him in a sour mood is all!

"I'm just thinking way too much of it," I huffed as I put away my phone and replaced it with Kyouya's physics book. I read the book until I was dropped off, I texted my parents, cooked dinner, worked on my homework while I ate, showered, then I fell into a fitful sleep.

I had completely forgotten about the school festival going on until I went to school the next morning. My mind was in turmoil, despite my best efforts I couldn't push aside my assumptions about my mother and her generation of idiots, I had barely enough time to eat breakfast since I slept through my alarm clock, and today I was to be with Hunny out to pay for his pastry delicacies.

My life was rough and tangled up, I just need to keep trudging through.

Trudging, trudging… The morning classes went slowly, in Physics Kyouya didn't even glance at me before he spoke.

"Didn't get enough sleep last night?" he asked, his arms folded. Since we had become partners for that presentation Kyouya had voluntarily made a habit of sharing our class table.

"You guessed it, I ran into the superintendent yesterday after work," now why did I tell you that? It wasn't important, maybe it was just my way of advancing the conversation – bring up an unwanted topic and hope the conversation goes somewhere. Quite the strategy I have there.

"That's not surprising, he was probably staying late due to the festival," replied Kyouya, I nodded convincingly.

"That was probably why," he was just tired, he was straining to remain social and friendly is all.

"Why?" Kyouya sounded slightly confused, but watched me meticulously. I relished the new tone in his voice, it is a rare occurrence for Kyouya to be confused.

"He seemed awfully tired, he walked me to the door and lended me his limo to get home. At the time I thought he seemed a little tense, but that definitely explains it." I said daring to look at him more directly. I often avoided doing this, looking at him from this angle brought back memories of falling asleep on his shoulder. Despite the fact I enjoyed the heart-warming moment, bringing it up in a casual setting wouldn't do for my skin complexion.

"You pick up on what people are feeling pretty easily," it wasn't a question and having that told to my face made me stutter.

"Just a-a little," was my reply, I mentally scolded myself, "I tend to over think things as well."

"That is not always a bad thing," Kyouya said, it was nice talking to him like this, just a nice talk without shadowy smiles and flashing glasses. Pushing aside what he had just said, I did notice he put on the dark show for the Host Club clients and in front of the girls at school. That secretive persona won him many customers, funny how he allowed me to hog most of his time slots.

I figuratively patted myself on the back for noticing that mild shift in his behavior and the fact that he put on a Shadow King façade less and less in front of me made me feel sort of special. Or then again I was over thinking things or maybe I was too self-assured now that he said I could pick up on people's feelings easily.

"Well, that over thinking kept me up most of the night," the teacher had just stood up and started writing on the chalkboard. Most of the talk in the room dwindled to a whisper.

When Kyouya spoke I thought the whole room would hear.

"Who were you thinking of last night?" I was very grateful I had already turned my attention back to the teacher by this time, but he must have noticed the way my shoulders stiffened and my eyes remaining stubbornly on the words being scratched on the board.

WHO?! Where did he get off assuming I was thinking of a person? OK, naturally I can't stay mad for that, but that was a little arrogant of him wasn't it? Assuming if I was assuming right he was assuming I was thinking about him, but he is somewhat wrong for assuming those assumptions! I spent a good deal of the night freaking out if this love triangle idea was true and trying NOT to think about it!

"The person that kept me up all night," I shot back, meaning to signify the person I was thinking about, but hadn't realized how that would sound until after I said it.

Of course, I was a little louder than Kyouya and half the class had shot me incredulous glances while my face caught up with my words.

"I didn't mean it like that," I emphasized the last of my words, Kyouya must have smirked because he didn't chuckle.

"Was he attractive?" he asked.

Now things are going down a road I do NOT want to travel down now, Third Music Room, yes, the most difficult class I have in school, no, but I would lying if I wasn't enjoying the trek.

"Don't worry, I am certain you can keep up with the class as long as you work hard." Claimed Kyouya, as if reading my mind.

The teacher started talking soon after that, but let's be honest, I wasn't hearing much of it.

I know I'm going to be paying for that later.

After class the rest of the day would be devoted to the festival and Kyouya vanished, I suspected it had something to do with the plan to keep Haruhi at Ouran.

Momoka and Ayame cornered me at lunch, they appeared very concerned and whatever questions that were in their eyes honestly frightened me.

"Over here," Ayame said and they walked with me like bodyguards out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard where Reiko waited beneath the shade of a tree and a dark violet parasol.

"Is it true?" my eyes narrowed on Ayame.

"What's going on?" this morning had been quiet, but looking back on it the only person that had spoken to me was Kyouya…hadn't he been a bit too arrogant? After my exclamation earlier, my classmates continued giving me glances out of the corner of their eyes.

"There are some rumors floating about you meeting Ootori Akito at the Kyoto Conference?" Momoka claimed, her eyes serious and concerned, I gulped.

Where could this possibly be going? I think I do know where it's going and I'll definitely deny it all!

"Yes, I did, some of us were told not to stay the entire meeting and we went out to kill time." Was my reply, Ayame sharply sucked in air.

"You two are not…courting are you?" Momoka seemed to use the term shyly, it would seem the term 'dating' was too scandalous.

"What? No! No no no no no!" I replied hastily.

"Told you to listen, my spells would never lie to me." Claimed Reiko calmly, but I couldn't understand what the big deal could be.

"We're happy we asked you for confirmation, the whole school isn't talking about it thankfully, but it's certainly strange to hear something like that." Ayame and Momoka appeared equally relieved.

"Tell me what was with you two then? What's the big deal?" I asked.

"Don't you know?" murmured Ayame after she checked the courtyard for eavesdroppers.

"Oh no, he's a bipolar serial killer on Japan's most wanted isn't he?" I asked sarcastically.

"Hey, there's no need for that tone," scolded Momoka.

"All right, sorry, but what didn't I know?" I asked, Momoka and Ayame's faces grew dark.

"He's Kyouya's older brother," they said.

"Yes, yes he is. I'm still not following," was my reply.

"No one knows much about him, fact is, I'm surprised he was at the conference. He's not the social type," claimed Ayame.

"It can't be that surprising," I replied weakly.

"It is! Apparently he has an office at his university and never leaves the campus! He's so advanced, word is he surpassed Yuuichi academically since grade school!" Momoka explained, "but the family business doesn't interest him so he never fought Yuuichi for the title of the head of the Ootori family!"

Head of the Ootori family? Surpassed Yuuichi? A thought struck me, does Kyouya have ambitions to rise above his older brothers? Does he want to be the family head or inherit his father's business?

I never imagined Kyouya having interest in medicine, business yes, but medicine practice not at all.

"No offense to you Yu-chan," I cringed a little less at the nickname, Ayame continued, "but it seems odd that Akito-san would leave his office and come to the conference, then does not even spend time there but with you. Did you two also go to the party the following evening?"

"No, well, I didn't, Akito might have." I recalled sitting in the hotel room by myself, looking out the window occasionally as I worked on the laptop. I secretly imagined myself as Kyouya, pretending to be all knowing and smart on my lonesome and laughed quietly at the memory.

"Akito didn't either," Momoka claimed.

"Oh! So that's what's going around, one night I'm seen with him alone at a coffee shop and the next night at a party neither of us are there! I see, well, let it be known there is nothing between us!" I shuddered, remembering the night we walked back to the hotel together. He was definitely being shady.

"Oh no…you guys didn't…" I was on the verge of laughter, I had just arrived at the Third Music Room. Whatever had transpired had already passed, I saw the Zuka Club walking down the hall as I approached. The club had apparently closed for the day, but now I understood more than five seconds ago.

"W-Why are you-no! Let me get a picture for the website please!" I started laughing, I needed to laugh, I needed it so bad. Haruhi still had some giggles in her and the twins and Hunny bounded over to me.

"You missed it," claimed Hikaru and Koaru, "we're the Hitachiin sisters!"

"I can see that! The dresses and make-up suit you!" I teased them, but more than anything I was trying to get the image of Kyouya in a dress to stay in my mind. It would be a good stress reliever if I could remember every time I needed a laugh.

"You think so?" they smirked together.

"You guys are so cute, I can't believe you actually dressed as girls! I still can't imagine what for," I laughed, they tried to look serious which emphasized the ridiculous amount of make-up and have me bent double.

"To make the decision for Haruhi easier, it obviously worked." One of them huffed, he was fanning himself with a random hand fan.

"Yes, yes, I can see that!" my laughter ebbed far enough for me to spot Haruhi trying to control her own amusement still, Tamaki (oh gods) hovered over her like a desperate puppy that had been suffering from severe separation anxiety. This only seemed to make Haruhi laugh more.

"I'm glad this has managed to delight you," spoke Kyouya, the moment I looked up at him I had to look away to laugh. I asked the twins to allow me to borrow one of their hand fans and they smirked as I stood there fanning my face.

"It has!" I replied a few seconds later, facing Kyouya now, I put my free hand on my hip and imagined the sight of us. I was still in my buttercup, puffy-sleeved Ouran dress and a couple of inches shorter than the raven-haired boy before me. Yellow and plum, not a bad combination.

"It's a good thing you don't have a sister or we would get you two confused," I said, Kyouya's glasses flashed.

"He does have a sister Yu-chan," claimed Hunny, I blinked.

"Really?" I yelped.

"Speaking of which, Kyouya! Tsuyu-hime!" a click sounded from Tamaki's direction the moment Kyouya and I turned to look at the blonde.

"Ah! Perfect! The dynamic of the turn made her hair look breezy! I'm sending it to Fuyumi right away!" cried Tamaki, Kyouya glowered fiercely at him that struck me as demonic.

"You will not-"

"Sent!"

Kyouya looked like he had swallowed something sour, with his black fan held tensely in his iron grip I went ahead and started fanning him with my own. His demonic glare softened when it landed on me, but the vexed look still remained.

"Don't worry," I said, lowering my fan, "I'll deny it's you."

"We'll get you a copy, don't worry," teased the twins in either ear, Kyouya's glare hardened again and the twins skipped away.

I started fanning my face again.

End of Chapter Question!

What exactly was Tsuyu freaking out about the love triangle possibility?

Author's Note:
I now have some pictures of Tsuyu and a meme at my DA account. Just look for Aspendragon on Deviantart~

Questions & comments from the author (I like these, give me questions!)

the TumTum tree: I wonder too! :)

DarkSeaRain: I DO intend on Tsuyu finding out what happened at the hotel, but probably not in the best of circumstances *twiddles thumbs innocently* I plan on getting back at Kyouya for not giving me the plot bunnies as of late. It's Tsuyu and the fangirl in me who's driving this forward! And as for the courter, are you speaking of Akito? Hopefully this chapter spurred on some more thoughts! I plan on doing some friendship-building between Haruhi and Tsuyu, this chapter would have been a good one I admit, but I already planned on doing so much I thought that would crowd it. I also did think about building the friendship more before Tsuyu found out he was a she, but knowing how Ranka is (wanting to dress his baby up whenever she went out other than school) and the timing just crossed at that time, so, yeah. But now Tamaki has what he always wanted - another girl that will hopefully rub off on Haruhi :) Thank you for your advice on the little animations the anime portrays (like the flowers around Hunny's head) thankfully I'm too caught up in my writing to really use that too much, but if I ever have a thought like that again I'll definitely be careful with it!

I-Have-Been-Changed-For-Good: Thank you so much for the review! I'm very happy you like it! As for your question, hopefully it's been answered by now ^^

Mistress Kisa: Megumi is from Ruruouni Kenshin ^^ she is actually 20 or 21 in the manga, but I lowered her age to 17 for the crossover.

Bambi: What is it exactly you're not getting from Tsuyu? I would love to hear it even if it's negative! I'll keep it mind for future chapters and possible revisions! If it's about Tsuyu's exact origins of wealth and status, well, by now it's been answered that Tsuyu's mother worked from scratch and her father was born with a lot of money, though he wasn't vastly wealthy. You know what, Tsuyu's family is heavily based on one of my closest friends' family now that I think about it. A lot of people use OC as an excuse for a self-insertion, but thinking on it now Tsuyu is BASED on my best friend! Wow...that was an awesome revelation. There are some definite differences, but there's a sure connection. :)

XcrazyXookamiX: I ship both Kyo/Tohru and Yuki/Tohru. Here's what I do, I divide them between manga and anime - the anime ship is Yuki/Tohru and the manga ship is Kyo/Tohru. I sometimes think I'm clever when I improvise ^^ I want Tsuyu to meet Kurama sometime too, I'm not entirely sure of when, but I want it to happen since Kurama is one of my all time favorite anime/manga characters. You should check out my DA, I'm starting a huge crossover fanfic I'm illustrating about Amaterasu (Okami) meeting Sesshoumaru, Youko Kurama, etc.

superfreak330: I have never written a lemon before, buuuut it has crossed my mind to reveal more intimate moments for my favorite pairings whenever I get to the appropriate points in my stories (though I haven't there with this story yet). I would keep reading, who knows, I might surprise myself. If I DO write any lemons, I might post this as a separate story and post a notice on the chapter. But don't expect one in the next few chapters.

I love my reviews and more so the people who write them! You guys just made me write a whole bunch more ideas down and I hope you're all anime-savvy (beyond the world of OHSHC) because watch for those crossovers! All right, time for bed ^^